The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

And he addeth, as it becometh me too speak. Wherein he showeth yet again, that it is not enough too preach by rote whatsoever comes at the tongues end: but all must be ruled by Gods word, so as it may pierce mens harts, and win them too his obedience: and that (as is said in another place) there be not only language or speech:¹ for the kingdom of heaven consisteth not in gay Rhetoric, but in the power of God. Too the end then that there may be such a liveliness, as men may know that such as teach us, are stirred up of God, to be as his instruments, and too do him seruis: Saint Paul desireth men too pay for him. Wherefore let us learn, that too step up into the pulpit, and too expound some text of scripture, is not all that is too be done, but there must be a special handsomeness, which groweth not in the gardens of men, but proceedeth of the extraordinary goodness of God.² And herein he showeth that which he speaketh in another place, namely that no man can perform the duty of a good and faithful teacher, unless he be sent. Now this sending importeth, that God giveth men that which is requisite for the executing of their charge, because they want it of themselves.

And he addeth, as it becommeth mee too speake. Wherin hee sheweth yit agein, that it is not ynough too preache by rote whatsoeuer comes at the tungs end: but all must bee ruled by Gods woord, so as it may perce mens harts, and win them too his obenience: and that (as is sayd in another place) there bee not only language or speache:¹ for the kingdome of heauen consisteth not in gay Rhetorik, but in the power of God. Too the end then that there may be such a lyuelinesse, as mē may know that such as teache vs, are stirred vp of God, to be as his instruments, and too doo him seruis: Saint Paule desyreth men too pay for him. Wherfore let vs learne, that too step vp into the pulpit, and too expound some text of scripture, is not all that is too bee doone, but there must be a special handsomnesse, which groweth not in the gardens of men, but proceedeth of the extraordinarie goodnesse of God.² And herein he sheweth that which he speaketh in another place, namely that noman can performe the dewtie of a good and faythfull teacher, vnlesse he bee sent. Now this sending importeth, that God giueth men that which is requisyte for the executing of their charge, bycause they want it of themselues.